The Kansas Animal Health Department (KAHD) was created in 1969 by consolidating all of the activities of: the Livestock Sanitary Commission and the State Brand Commission. The KAHD is divided into four divisions: administration, disease control, animal facilities inspection and brands. The Department works with two Boards, a nine member Kansas Animal Health Board and a ten member Pet Animal Advisory Board.
One of the agency’s goals is to eradicate infectious and contagious livestock diseases throughout the state. Kansas continues to be a “free” state which means it is Brucellosis, Tuberculosis and Pseudorabies Free. Department veterinarians are responsible for testing programs, epidemiology of disease outbreaks and technical support for the administration. Livestock inspectors inspect feedlots, livestock markets and disposal plants; conduct disease tracebacks; and assist in testing programs. Office staff gather and maintain records on calfhood vaccinations, herd records, test results, import and export requirements,and provide laboratory technical support for the state/federal testing laboratory. They collect license fees and maintain records on all licensed facilities.
A subdivision of disease control is “Kansas Homeland Defense” aka Emergency Management. The disease control field staff is actively involved in the education of producers, emergency personnel and other interested parties on the state emergency animal disease plan and the consequences of an outbreak of a foreign animal disease. They are also assisting county emergency managers with county emergency animal disease planning. The state emergency animal disease plan relies heavily on local response for the first 24-48 hours of an outbreak of a foreign animal disease.
Another part of disease control is the “Animal Identification”. This is a national program being developed by the USDA. The program is voluntary but may eventually become mandatory. Participants in the program obtain a numerical premise ID either on-line or through the Department. Any time cattle are moved from one premise to another, this number and the ID number on each head of cattle will be recorded and entered into a databank. When fully implemented, it should enable state and federal governments to quickly track exposed animals in case of an animal disease outbreak.
The Animal Facilities Inspection Program regulates companion animal facilities licensed, or required to be licensed, under the provisions of the Kansas Pet Animal Act. The Act requires licensing and inspection of all dog and cat breeders who produce, offer or sell three or more litters during the state fiscal year, pounds and shelters, pet shops, research facilities, distributors, out-of-state distributors, boarding facilities, animal rescues and foster homes. Office staff maintains licenses, health papers and correspondence pertaining to the program. Field inspectors inspect licensed facilities and investigate complaints.
The brand division maintains an 18,000 +/- brand registry and assists with the market brand inspection program performed by contract. Two special investigators assist local law enforcement with lost, stray and stolen livestock. They coordinate investigations between agencies and victims.
